Australia has been granted observer status of a four-strong Latin American alliance, as a further step in what Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson sees as a wider Asia-Pacific trade area.

Peru, Chile, Mexico and Colombia - which form the Pacific Alliance - agreed at a recent meeting in Cartagena, Colombia, to Australia becoming an observer of their trade and political negotiations.

As an observer, Australia will be better placed to work with the Pacific-facing nations - with a combined GDP of more than US$2 trillion - towards wider economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.

"These four countries are like-minded in their pursuit of open trade and value Australia's familiarity with the Asia-Pacific," Dr Emerson said.

"Australia is well-placed to act as a connecting rod between Latin America and Asia, as we pursue a broader free trade area of the Asia-Pacific region," he said.

Australia is also in negotiations for a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement involving 11 Asia-Pacific countries. Mexico, Chile and Peru are also part of these negotiations.

Australian companies are active in Pacific Alliance member countries, especially in the mining and energy sector.

Media enquiries

• Minister Emerson's Office: (02) 6277 7420
• DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555